Fredrik Bäckhed received a 2,5 million grant from the EU and the European Research Council (ERC). The money will go to our group's further investigations to develop a novel treatment strategy designed to modulate gut microbiota function.

Gut bacteria can produce molecules that may contribute to fibrosis — stiffening of the heart, liver, and other organs. Effects include raised risks of heart failure and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a liver disease. Professor Fredrik Bäckhed has just been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant for developing this discovery in the direction of a therapy to prevent bacteria from secreting these potentially harmful molecules.

“Looking for strategies to treat the gut microbiota, instead of using drugs to target the body’s cells, is a completely new concept”, says Fredrik.

 To the press release from Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.